September 12, 2007

Super Soup Challenge - The Roundup!

The day has arrived - the posting of the Super Soup Challenge! I have to say to everyone who has participated or taken part somehow in the SSC just how much you all and this blog event means to me. People have chimed in from all over the world - literally - to take part in this event that is a testament to the power of food & community to bring people together, warm hearts, and find happiness in a bowl of soup. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Now...let's get down to business!

There were FIFTY FOUR entries to the Super Soup Challenge! See why there has to be two winners? Voting for the Reader Choice prize begins today and will end on Wednesday, September 19th. That gives everyone a week to get their votes in. Anyone can vote - even if you did not take place in the challenge! The winner will be announced shortly thereafter. I will also be choosing a winner myself, which I'll announce the same day! Please send your choice for the winning soup to bloggingforsoup@gmail.com, an email account I set up for this challenge.

Let the soups begin!

I had hoped that having the soup challenge earlier in the year would bring out the cold soups. Boy did it ever! This unusual soup - Meggyleves which is a cold cherry soup - is brought to us by Anna over at Morsels and Musings.

Barbara over at Winos and Foodies shares a recipe for her SpringGreen Soup. I love the colors in the soup *and* the photograph! Healthy and an adorable garnish!

The winner of last year's Super Soup Challenge, Peabody over at Culinary Concoctions by Peabody, is feeling the pressure of holding onto her title...and for no good reason! This Smoked Corn Soup, is delicious and deliciously photographed - and it's topped with bacon!

This very "soup-like" Boiled Dinner from Louise at Gato Azul is very much in the spirit of this Super Soup Challenge. She advises to invite friends over to share in the bounty of wonderful food...and to break out the good dishes, too! I couldn't agree more.

Nupur brings us this delicious Curry Noodle Soup at her blog One Hot Stove. The recipe is courtesy of Heidi Swanson over at 101 Cookbooks...so you know this soup is going to be delicious *and* healthy.

I was thrilled to see Bea from La Tartine Gourmande throw her soup into the ring. Her blog is just beautiful...and the photos are always drool-worthy. This is no exception! Her Corn Soup with Fresh Herbs and Paprika looks fantastic!

Ulrike at Kuchenlatein uses one of my favorite flavors of all time in her soup creation: fennel. Her Roasted Fennel and Cider Soup sounds as good as I bet it smelled. Nice job!

I was so happy to see Kalyn from Kalyn's Kitchen take part in the challenge. I think her blog is just wonderful and has such a unique approach to food blogging. If you haven't tried her recipes, do so! Why not start with this wonderful Confetti Gazpacho?

I am honored that Desie at Mabahay chose the SSC as her first ever blog event! I love hearty soups...and I love lentils. This HeartyLentil and Sausage Soup looks like just the thing to make on those chilly fall days!

Another Gazpacho recipe! This beautifully photographed version comes from Elle over at Feeding My Enthusiasms. I love the toasty garlicky croutons as a garnish. This looks wonderful!

This is a really interesting soup, courtesy of Pragyan at Cooking at Pragyan's. It is Tomato Shorba, which is a soup made with tomato water. For tomato fans, this is a dream soup - it looks like it would be the essence of delicious, comforting tomato soup.

I adore Thai soups, so I was so pleased to see Alex submit her recipe for Thai Tom Yam Koong soup over at The Princess and The Recipe. It looks so flavorful and fresh. Make sure you read the post to see her gory cooking tip about dealing with shrimp!

Taking part all the way from India, Nags over at For The Cook In Me participates with her Easy Vegetable Soup. This looks so tasty and - yes - simple...a winning combination!

Finally...a boy throws his recipe into the ring! I have to say that Adam over at BedHeadBlog gets points for originality. I don't think I've ever quite seen a deviled egg boat before - complete with bacon sail! He encourages everyone to "scuttle their hunger" with his Bacon and Mushroom Pirate Soup.

Being able to try something new is one of the wonderful things about food blogging and, especially, blog events. Mandira over at Ahaar did just that and came up with a winner with her Spicy Beetroot Soup. Beautiful colors and great photo!

Daphne over at More Than Words hits the nail on the head with her thoughts about soup and cooking - it *is* as much about how you feel when you eat something as what the food is itself. Kudos for saying that! That having been said, her Slow Roasted Veg Soup looks like it would make for a great meal!

Tomato soup has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid. Paired with a grilled cheese sandwich, it's the ultimate in comfort food. Maryann at Finding La Dolce Vita shares her twist on the classic recipe with her Spiced Creamy Tomato Soup.

A fellow Georgian, Lynne over at Cafe Lynnylu, entered last year's challenge as her first blog event. She marks the anniversary of a year of her wonderful blog with this refreshing, tasty sounding, and colorful Chilled Pineapple Gazpacho!

The texture of this Gingered Carrot and Parsnip soup looks divine, courtesy of The Budding Cook at her eponymously named blog, The Budding Cook.

A fellow Atlantan and "fuel freak", Matthew who blogs over at RowdyFood, outdid himself with a trio of refreshing and inventive soups: Fresh Strawberry with Creme Fraiche Caviar and Basil, Fresh Blackberry with Chilled Creme Fraiche and Mint, and Fresh Banana Soup with Pomegranate "Ravioli".

Sending in a scrumptious vegetarian recipe is Katerina from Daily Unadventures in Cooking. Her Carrot and Cashew Soup looks original and oh-so-yummy!

In the spirit of this challenge, Marie from England's A Year At Oak Cottage talks about cooking, thrift, and the memories attached with the art of making soup. It's a touching post and a tasty sounding recipe for Celery Soup.

Making sure not to miss the second challenge, Tigerfish at Teczcape submits a simple and flavorful Easy Minestrone Soup, her favorite!

I was so happy to see Joey from 80 Breakfasts take part in the SSC! It's one of my recently favorite blogs...and you can see why! Her Roasted Butternut Squash soup is comforting, delicious, and so beautifully photographed!

Francois at FXCuisine takes you through every step of his divine Magical Italian Pesto Soup. Included in the post are some great technique tips and beautiful ingredient shots. Well done!

Another cold soup recipe! This looks incredible! Y, who blogs over at Australia's LemonPi, sent in this beautifully photographed and inventive Chilled Watermelon Soup with Goat Cheese Napoleons.

Zlamushka stays true to the name of her blog, Zlamushka's Spicy Kitchen, by adding a little curry to her tasty looking Zucchini Cream Soup.

Woo! Another Asian-y inspired soup. Ayone, who blogs at Germany's Food is Love, takes part with a unique and healthy Shrimp and Tofu Ball Soup.

Kim from What Kim Ate submits a hearty yet elegant Red Wine and Garlic Lentil Soup. This looks so comforting and flavorful. Apparently the people who have tried have declared this one "a keeper!".

Michelle from the UK's Greedy Gourmet heats up the soup competition with this stunning photograph of her Butter Bean, Bacon, and Thyme soup. It's only her 2nd blog event - nice job!

Submitting an Algerian recipe by way of Los Angeles is Chef Zadi at Algerian Cuisine by Chef Zadi. This recipe for Marqa Hamra is a recipe suited for Ramadan or the meal for breaking the fast. This informative post highlights a delicious and simple soup.

Bringing a spin on Matzoh Ball Soup (another one of my favorites) is Arfi at HomeMadeS. An Asian version of this Jewish classic? Sign me up for Chicken Balls in Clear Soup! A lovely photo, too.

Kate at Brooklyn's Two Yellow Lunchboxes throws caution to the wind and tries cooling off in the Indian summer heat with a delicious version of White Gazpacho.

Taking part all the way from New Dehli, India is Priya and her blog Food and Laughter. She tells a fairy tale story about her Stone Soup recipe - and also includes another favorite soup recipe in the post!

From Utah, Deborah at Taste and Tell participates with a scrumptious looking Clam Chowder - the only version of this soup in the challenge! What a great meal with those pieces of perfectly grilled bread! Delicious!

A submission from my hometown of Chicago, Illinois! Terry B from Blue Kitchen shares his beautifully photographed Watercress Vichyssoise, complete with background story and a reference to Tony Bourdain, which I'm pretty sure gets you bonus points!

Showing us that simple - both in the recipe and the photograph - can bring stunning results is Haalo over at Cook (almost) Anything At Least Once. Her Cauliflower and Blue Cheese soup looks incredible - and what a wonderful image of it, as well!

Another delicious vegetarian soup from a very cool veggie focused blog! Alanna at A Veggie Venture participates with her yummy Yellow Squash Coconut Soup. This soup looks great, as does the rest of her blog. A great resource for veggie recipes!

Another fruit soup recipe...although this one is WARM! How unusual! Dennis from Kookjegek in The Netherlands gets inventive with this interesting Kiwi Soup.

In keeping with the spirit of this challenge, Despina over at Food For Thought has contributed possibly the most appropriate and touching post of the challenge. The photograph is of her and her sister with their mother, who she lost to cancer when she was just 18. Thank you to Despina, who I recently met as a friend through Myspace, for taking the challenge to heart and sharing your story and recipe for Greek Lentil Soup.

Meeta from What's For Lunch, Honey? said she just couldn't miss the SSC - and we're glad she didn't! She took part by contributing this vibrant, colorful and tasty recipe for Red Bell Pepper Soup.

Everyone has a meal or a food that they find, well, sexy. I know I do. This recipe for Chilled Avocado Seafood Soup comes from Terry over at a really interesting blog called SeductionMeals. A unique site with great recipes and really beautiful photographs!

Another entry from The Windy City! Lisa from The Alchemist and The Needler wings it with her yummy Millet Chowder, which is gluten and dairy free for those of you looking for recipes like that! I love that tablecloth, btw!

I was thrilled to see Sam over at Becks and Posh take part in the SSC. Her posts are always so lively and the photographs are just stellar. Her contribution to the challenge is no exception! This recipe for Ajo Blanco - White Gazpacho - looks incredible!

Verena takes part all the way from Brazil! At her blog, Mangia che te fa bene, she shares her recipe for Grated Onion Soup. It's still cold in Brazil and this version of our "French Onion Soup" looks warm and inviting! The suggestion of pairing Malbec with it sounds great, as well.

Another red pepper soup - and another vibrant entry to the challenge! This version of Red Pepper Soup is brought to us by Sassy Radish. What a cute blog! The use of color on the blog and in the photo for this soup is just wonderful!

Cordelia, who blogs over at Toronto's The Urban Nutritionist, has a confession to make: She's never made soup before...until now. She adapted a recipe for her Kale and Chickpea Soup, which are two ingredients I just love in soups. Nice job!

Anita at Married with Dinner keeps her gazpacho summer going with this delightful Watermelon Gazpacho. I love the color of the soup and the ingredient shots included in her post. Kudos!

Over at Thyme For Food, June creates a version of one of my favorite soups - White Bean Soup with Pancetta. In addition, she cooks up a delicious sounding Onion and Sage Focaccia to accompany it. What a wonderful entry and a gorgeous photo!

In an effort to eat seasonally, Inge over at Vanielje Kitchen creates an interesting soup flavor: Cream of Spinach and Pear. I love the mixture of savory and sweet. How unique!

Over at Evolving Tastes, an adventurous foray into cooking cranberry beans was met with mixed results...until a delicious Cranberry Bean Soup Broth saved the day. I love the color of that warming appetizer soup.

Using ingredients purchased at the local market, Hippolyra from Fuss Free Flavors created a Roasted Sweet Red Pepper, Tomato, and Red Lentil soup. Great photo with a pretty garnish on top!

How could a blog named Souperior not take part in a Super Soup Challenge? Fahara from the UK contributes a simple and beautiful Roast Tomato and Chili Soup.

Finally, it's my own submission to the Super Soup Challenge - a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants recipe that turned out to be an inspired tribute to my mom and the spirit of the SSC - Radicchio Soup.

Comments

Super Soup Challenge - The Roundup!

The day has arrived - the posting of the Super Soup Challenge! I have to say to everyone who has participated or taken part somehow in the SSC just how much you all and this blog event means to me. People have chimed in from all over the world - literally - to take part in this event that is a testament to the power of food & community to bring people together, warm hearts, and find happiness in a bowl of soup. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Now...let's get down to business!

There were FIFTY FOUR entries to the Super Soup Challenge! See why there has to be two winners? Voting for the Reader Choice prize begins today and will end on Wednesday, September 19th. That gives everyone a week to get their votes in. Anyone can vote - even if you did not take place in the challenge! The winner will be announced shortly thereafter. I will also be choosing a winner myself, which I'll announce the same day! Please send your choice for the winning soup to bloggingforsoup@gmail.com, an email account I set up for this challenge.

Let the soups begin!

I had hoped that having the soup challenge earlier in the year would bring out the cold soups. Boy did it ever! This unusual soup - Meggyleves which is a cold cherry soup - is brought to us by Anna over at Morsels and Musings.

Barbara over at Winos and Foodies shares a recipe for her SpringGreen Soup. I love the colors in the soup *and* the photograph! Healthy and an adorable garnish!

The winner of last year's Super Soup Challenge, Peabody over at Culinary Concoctions by Peabody, is feeling the pressure of holding onto her title...and for no good reason! This Smoked Corn Soup, is delicious and deliciously photographed - and it's topped with bacon!

This very "soup-like" Boiled Dinner from Louise at Gato Azul is very much in the spirit of this Super Soup Challenge. She advises to invite friends over to share in the bounty of wonderful food...and to break out the good dishes, too! I couldn't agree more.

Nupur brings us this delicious Curry Noodle Soup at her blog One Hot Stove. The recipe is courtesy of Heidi Swanson over at 101 Cookbooks...so you know this soup is going to be delicious *and* healthy.

I was thrilled to see Bea from La Tartine Gourmande throw her soup into the ring. Her blog is just beautiful...and the photos are always drool-worthy. This is no exception! Her Corn Soup with Fresh Herbs and Paprika looks fantastic!

Ulrike at Kuchenlatein uses one of my favorite flavors of all time in her soup creation: fennel. Her Roasted Fennel and Cider Soup sounds as good as I bet it smelled. Nice job!

I was so happy to see Kalyn from Kalyn's Kitchen take part in the challenge. I think her blog is just wonderful and has such a unique approach to food blogging. If you haven't tried her recipes, do so! Why not start with this wonderful Confetti Gazpacho?

I am honored that Desie at Mabahay chose the SSC as her first ever blog event! I love hearty soups...and I love lentils. This HeartyLentil and Sausage Soup looks like just the thing to make on those chilly fall days!

Another Gazpacho recipe! This beautifully photographed version comes from Elle over at Feeding My Enthusiasms. I love the toasty garlicky croutons as a garnish. This looks wonderful!

This is a really interesting soup, courtesy of Pragyan at Cooking at Pragyan's. It is Tomato Shorba, which is a soup made with tomato water. For tomato fans, this is a dream soup - it looks like it would be the essence of delicious, comforting tomato soup.

I adore Thai soups, so I was so pleased to see Alex submit her recipe for Thai Tom Yam Koong soup over at The Princess and The Recipe. It looks so flavorful and fresh. Make sure you read the post to see her gory cooking tip about dealing with shrimp!

Taking part all the way from India, Nags over at For The Cook In Me participates with her Easy Vegetable Soup. This looks so tasty and - yes - simple...a winning combination!

Finally...a boy throws his recipe into the ring! I have to say that Adam over at BedHeadBlog gets points for originality. I don't think I've ever quite seen a deviled egg boat before - complete with bacon sail! He encourages everyone to "scuttle their hunger" with his Bacon and Mushroom Pirate Soup.

Being able to try something new is one of the wonderful things about food blogging and, especially, blog events. Mandira over at Ahaar did just that and came up with a winner with her Spicy Beetroot Soup. Beautiful colors and great photo!

Daphne over at More Than Words hits the nail on the head with her thoughts about soup and cooking - it *is* as much about how you feel when you eat something as what the food is itself. Kudos for saying that! That having been said, her Slow Roasted Veg Soup looks like it would make for a great meal!

Tomato soup has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid. Paired with a grilled cheese sandwich, it's the ultimate in comfort food. Maryann at Finding La Dolce Vita shares her twist on the classic recipe with her Spiced Creamy Tomato Soup.

A fellow Georgian, Lynne over at Cafe Lynnylu, entered last year's challenge as her first blog event. She marks the anniversary of a year of her wonderful blog with this refreshing, tasty sounding, and colorful Chilled Pineapple Gazpacho!

The texture of this Gingered Carrot and Parsnip soup looks divine, courtesy of The Budding Cook at her eponymously named blog, The Budding Cook.

A fellow Atlantan and "fuel freak", Matthew who blogs over at RowdyFood, outdid himself with a trio of refreshing and inventive soups: Fresh Strawberry with Creme Fraiche Caviar and Basil, Fresh Blackberry with Chilled Creme Fraiche and Mint, and Fresh Banana Soup with Pomegranate "Ravioli".

Sending in a scrumptious vegetarian recipe is Katerina from Daily Unadventures in Cooking. Her Carrot and Cashew Soup looks original and oh-so-yummy!

In the spirit of this challenge, Marie from England's A Year At Oak Cottage talks about cooking, thrift, and the memories attached with the art of making soup. It's a touching post and a tasty sounding recipe for Celery Soup.

Making sure not to miss the second challenge, Tigerfish at Teczcape submits a simple and flavorful Easy Minestrone Soup, her favorite!

I was so happy to see Joey from 80 Breakfasts take part in the SSC! It's one of my recently favorite blogs...and you can see why! Her Roasted Butternut Squash soup is comforting, delicious, and so beautifully photographed!

Francois at FXCuisine takes you through every step of his divine Magical Italian Pesto Soup. Included in the post are some great technique tips and beautiful ingredient shots. Well done!

Another cold soup recipe! This looks incredible! Y, who blogs over at Australia's LemonPi, sent in this beautifully photographed and inventive Chilled Watermelon Soup with Goat Cheese Napoleons.

Zlamushka stays true to the name of her blog, Zlamushka's Spicy Kitchen, by adding a little curry to her tasty looking Zucchini Cream Soup.

Woo! Another Asian-y inspired soup. Ayone, who blogs at Germany's Food is Love, takes part with a unique and healthy Shrimp and Tofu Ball Soup.

Kim from What Kim Ate submits a hearty yet elegant Red Wine and Garlic Lentil Soup. This looks so comforting and flavorful. Apparently the people who have tried have declared this one "a keeper!".

Michelle from the UK's Greedy Gourmet heats up the soup competition with this stunning photograph of her Butter Bean, Bacon, and Thyme soup. It's only her 2nd blog event - nice job!

Submitting an Algerian recipe by way of Los Angeles is Chef Zadi at Algerian Cuisine by Chef Zadi. This recipe for Marqa Hamra is a recipe suited for Ramadan or the meal for breaking the fast. This informative post highlights a delicious and simple soup.

Bringing a spin on Matzoh Ball Soup (another one of my favorites) is Arfi at HomeMadeS. An Asian version of this Jewish classic? Sign me up for Chicken Balls in Clear Soup! A lovely photo, too.

Kate at Brooklyn's Two Yellow Lunchboxes throws caution to the wind and tries cooling off in the Indian summer heat with a delicious version of White Gazpacho.

Taking part all the way from New Dehli, India is Priya and her blog Food and Laughter. She tells a fairy tale story about her Stone Soup recipe - and also includes another favorite soup recipe in the post!

From Utah, Deborah at Taste and Tell participates with a scrumptious looking Clam Chowder - the only version of this soup in the challenge! What a great meal with those pieces of perfectly grilled bread! Delicious!

A submission from my hometown of Chicago, Illinois! Terry B from Blue Kitchen shares his beautifully photographed Watercress Vichyssoise, complete with background story and a reference to Tony Bourdain, which I'm pretty sure gets you bonus points!

Showing us that simple - both in the recipe and the photograph - can bring stunning results is Haalo over at Cook (almost) Anything At Least Once. Her Cauliflower and Blue Cheese soup looks incredible - and what a wonderful image of it, as well!

Another delicious vegetarian soup from a very cool veggie focused blog! Alanna at A Veggie Venture participates with her yummy Yellow Squash Coconut Soup. This soup looks great, as does the rest of her blog. A great resource for veggie recipes!

Another fruit soup recipe...although this one is WARM! How unusual! Dennis from Kookjegek in The Netherlands gets inventive with this interesting Kiwi Soup.

In keeping with the spirit of this challenge, Despina over at Food For Thought has contributed possibly the most appropriate and touching post of the challenge. The photograph is of her and her sister with their mother, who she lost to cancer when she was just 18. Thank you to Despina, who I recently met as a friend through Myspace, for taking the challenge to heart and sharing your story and recipe for Greek Lentil Soup.

Meeta from What's For Lunch, Honey? said she just couldn't miss the SSC - and we're glad she didn't! She took part by contributing this vibrant, colorful and tasty recipe for Red Bell Pepper Soup.

Everyone has a meal or a food that they find, well, sexy. I know I do. This recipe for Chilled Avocado Seafood Soup comes from Terry over at a really interesting blog called SeductionMeals. A unique site with great recipes and really beautiful photographs!

Another entry from The Windy City! Lisa from The Alchemist and The Needler wings it with her yummy Millet Chowder, which is gluten and dairy free for those of you looking for recipes like that! I love that tablecloth, btw!

I was thrilled to see Sam over at Becks and Posh take part in the SSC. Her posts are always so lively and the photographs are just stellar. Her contribution to the challenge is no exception! This recipe for Ajo Blanco - White Gazpacho - looks incredible!

Verena takes part all the way from Brazil! At her blog, Mangia che te fa bene, she shares her recipe for Grated Onion Soup. It's still cold in Brazil and this version of our "French Onion Soup" looks warm and inviting! The suggestion of pairing Malbec with it sounds great, as well.

Another red pepper soup - and another vibrant entry to the challenge! This version of Red Pepper Soup is brought to us by Sassy Radish. What a cute blog! The use of color on the blog and in the photo for this soup is just wonderful!

Cordelia, who blogs over at Toronto's The Urban Nutritionist, has a confession to make: She's never made soup before...until now. She adapted a recipe for her Kale and Chickpea Soup, which are two ingredients I just love in soups. Nice job!

Anita at Married with Dinner keeps her gazpacho summer going with this delightful Watermelon Gazpacho. I love the color of the soup and the ingredient shots included in her post. Kudos!

Over at Thyme For Food, June creates a version of one of my favorite soups - White Bean Soup with Pancetta. In addition, she cooks up a delicious sounding Onion and Sage Focaccia to accompany it. What a wonderful entry and a gorgeous photo!

In an effort to eat seasonally, Inge over at Vanielje Kitchen creates an interesting soup flavor: Cream of Spinach and Pear. I love the mixture of savory and sweet. How unique!

Over at Evolving Tastes, an adventurous foray into cooking cranberry beans was met with mixed results...until a delicious Cranberry Bean Soup Broth saved the day. I love the color of that warming appetizer soup.

Using ingredients purchased at the local market, Hippolyra from Fuss Free Flavors created a Roasted Sweet Red Pepper, Tomato, and Red Lentil soup. Great photo with a pretty garnish on top!

How could a blog named Souperior not take part in a Super Soup Challenge? Fahara from the UK contributes a simple and beautiful Roast Tomato and Chili Soup.

Finally, it's my own submission to the Super Soup Challenge - a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants recipe that turned out to be an inspired tribute to my mom and the spirit of the SSC - Radicchio Soup.